NBN Memorial Day Showdown: Standout Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LONG BEACH — The Nothing But Net Memorial Day Showdown took place last weekend at McBride high school in Long Beach with some mainstream and independent teams coming together for a two-day event. Below we break down the top guards we watched on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2425687' first='Acen' last='Jimenez'] | 2026 | Dream Vision 17u</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jimenez has simultaneously been a calming and driving force for the Dream Vision squad as his control at the position and ability to diagnose, attack and create for himself and others opens up the floor for the rest of his team. The 6-foot-2 rising senior plays with great pace and poise at the point guard spot and balances scoring and distributing well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2750200' first='Aiden' last='Shaw'] | 2028 | Prodigy Elite 16u</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shaw is starting to emerge as one of the top guard prospects in Southern California's 2028 class. The 6-foot point guard is coming off of a strong freshman campaign at Bishop Amat and has shown flashes of brilliance in our multiple viewings of him this spring. Shaw is a lightning quick player with the ball in his hands who remains under control when pushing the tempo in transition. Shaw has great playmaking feel and is a crafty finisher around the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1956521' first='Elijah' last='Smith'] | 2026 | Prodigy Elite 17u</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is a prospect who has played in a lot of big games over the course of his career at Damien high school and his ability to manage a game for his Prodigy team is a product of that. Smith is a heady defender who can really pressure opposing ball-handlers with his quick hands and lateral speed. Offensively, the 5-foot-10 rising senior is an improved perimeter shooter who uses his speed and strong frame to earn paint touches and create for teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2146175' first='LJ' last='Diamond'] | 2027 | Dream Vision 16u</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Diamond has established himself as one of the west's top guard prospects in the 2027 class. The 6-foot-2 combo guard has an elite combination of burst off the bounce, vertical athleticism and the strength and frame to absorb and finish through contact. Diamond, who recently transferred to Arizona prep power Perry High, has all the makings of a mid to high major two-way prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1464983' first='Mick' last='Riordan'] | 2027 | Dream Vision 16u | Pictured</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riordan is a high IQ combo guard who brings toughness to both ends of the floor. The 6-foot-2 rising junior is a dead eye three-point shooter when he has his feet set but he can also put the ball on the deck, find his comfort zone and knock down a mid-range jumper. Riordan has the playmaking feel and ball-handling ability to play on the ball in a primary ball handling role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Noah Zeola | 2028 | Belmont Shore</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zeola has jumped on the radar in Southern California's 2028 class as one of its better shooters. The 6-foot-1 combo guard, who recently transferred to Orange Lutheran from Huntington Beach Marina, has a quick trigger, compact shooting mechanics, and deep range on his perimeter jumper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->